Thursday, October 25, 2007

How to use Magh-1?

MAGH-1 Smoke Burner (Bio-Pyrogas) Stove technology is the future technology, which converts the biomass into combustible gases used for cooking and charcoal is the byproduct. You are the proud owner of this stove, by adopting and using this stove you are able to mitigate the Global warming, conserve biomass, save expenses on energy and health, time is saved, etc.

STEPS

Fuel: Different types of biomass could be used as fuel like wood shavings, sticks, pellets; small pieces of cowdung cakes and corn cobs, etc, the moisture content should be less than 20%. The size of all the biomass should be between 2 cms to 4 cms in length and less than 1 cm in width. For any other specific biomass, stoves would be designed by us on prior order basis.

Charging fuel: There should be contiguity between each piece of biomass used as fuel i.e., there should not be any voids, nor the biomass is packed too tight (there should be chance for flow of primary air). Use homogeneous size of biomass pieces / shavings, Avoid wet biomass and bark of trees as fuel. Multigrade fuel: If heterogeneous size fuel is available, first step is to grade it using a sieve into about two grades for use. Say 1 inch size fuel / 2 inch size fuel, etc. Very fine material should be completely avoided.

Lighting fuel: Use small pieces of wood shavings soaked (not too much) in any mild fire oil (kerosene / diesel / vegetable oil / etc). Spread a layer of it evenly on the top of the biomass charged combustion chamber, lit using a match stick / lighter then place the bowl / container for cooking and then switch on the fan.

Smoke: This stove releases very little smoke while burning, but there is a chance that your stove might sometimes generate too much smoke, for the following reasons: 1.When the chips of wood / shavings are too wet, moisture content in the biomass is more than 20% 2. Insufficient air from the primary air source - blocked by the biomass fuel in the chamber or material packed too tight, or biomass of different sizes big and very small pieces are used, etc. are the possible reasons.

Cooking environment: Always use a well ventilated kitchen or semi-ventilated or fully open areas. If exhaust fans are available keep them on always, even after cooking for some more time. The stove should be kept near the open window, preferably in case of closed kitchen environment.

TIPS

What to do when suddenly there is lots of smoke and the stove is not burning because of several reasons like (more moisture / lack of primary air / different grades of biomass used as fuel / leakage of the secondary air from the stove / power failure / etc.)*Switch off the fan immediately.*If there is enough unburnt biomass still available in the combustion chamber and you would like to try again, use the kerosene soaked shavings / biomass as a thin layer on the top of the burning biomass and lit it again.*Last option is just take the combustion chamber into an open area and dump all the fuel and extinguish the still burning biomass with water. Restart the stove with fresh fuel.*Don’t use water to extinguish the stove, as it is made-up of metal. Let it cool slowly on its own, or continue the fan blowing and keep the combustion container as it is.

WARNING

Magh-1 is a forced air stove, there could be sparks generated during the cooking process, so please keep away all the combustible or highly inflammable things away from stove.The stove's body get’s heated during the process of cooking; please keep the stove away from children. Always use a metal holder to avoid accidents.

DISCLAIMER

In case of fire by accident and any losses to human / physical resources occurring - the designer of the stove / producer / seller / any person involved in its promotion are not responsible.

MAGH - 1 Smoke Burner stove and 9 other stoves under the series Avan and Magh were designed by Dr. N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy, dedicated to Geoecology Energy Organisation (GEO). http://www.e-geo.org. How to use suggestions cited above are based on his own experience in using this stove in his “Kitchen Lab” since past 9 months. The user’s feedback is very much valued to improve the design further.

GEO is playing an important role through micro-level initiatives and community participation for mitigating climate change issues. To continue these efforts, please donate to GEO. http://www.e-geo.org Contact e-mail: saibhaskarnakka@gmail.com